A legitimate Shiftlet: A complex character often misunderstood

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I believe that Mr.Shiftlet, the character from the story “The Life You Save May Be Your Own” by Flannery O’Conner is an innocent, truthful, and honest man. Although there are many misconceptions towards Mr.Shiftlet, this is mainly due to his complex character. My first example is as Mr.Shiftlet enters the story. At first he appears to the reader as innocent and pitiful. He shows an emotion to the reader as him being portrayed as helpless, innocent, and as a cripple. Mr.Shiftlet later questions Mrs. Crater why she trusts him stating, “…you never have seen me before: how you know I ain’t lying?” again appealing to his innocent appearance. Mr.Shiftlet’s helpless and pitiful character shows those around him believing that he is trustworthy. Another example is that as he is first led off his religious course by the thought that the car would be his ultimate passage to spiritual freedom. He compares the spirit to a car starting “the spirit...is like an automobile: always on the move.” This supports Mr.Shiftlet complex character because all of Mr.Shiftlet’s actions were specifically put to help himself, or in other words, to obtain the vehicle, as another action of just simply using his resources. A complex character once again expressed in the text, yet this time through his guilt. In the story it relates that Mr.Shiftlet searches for one last chance of redemption. Mr.Shiftlet knew that a man with a car has his responsibilities, so that’s why he gave the boy a lift. This act of kindness was a chance for Mr.Shiftlet to feel better about his mistakes. Once again, I believe that there are many misconceptions towards Mr.Shiftlet actions due to his complex character.
Mr.Shiftlet is caring in numerous ways. One of the examples that show that...

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...Mrs. Crater. Nothing more, nothing less. A forgotten relationship…once again brought back to life through the once demolished object, taken away…only to bring happiness in one’s life.
I believe that Mr.Shiftlet is an innocent, truthful and honest man. He was a good person overall, because he helped out the Craters without even being asked to. His misconceptions on his negative side overruled the positive side till now. Out of all the good things that he did, they were never truly noticed due to his misconceptions. How could Mr.Shiftlet harm anyone when acknowledging all the things he had done for the benefits of others? I believe that there are many misconceptions towards Mr.Shiftlet actions due to his complex character. Yet, I believe that now those misconceptions are put to a side and that now we all can acknowledge Mr.Shiftlet as a kind, caring and truthful man.

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